Kato's top lieutenant falls in North Cotabato

MANILA, Philippines - Combined military and police forces arrested on Wednesday another high-ranking official of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in North Cotabato, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced yesterday.

Arrested was Smawtin Basilan, a top lieutenant of notorious Commander Ameril Umbra Kato, head of the MILF’s 105th Base Command.

Aside from Smawtin, one Kumander Manalasal, Kato’s top man, was arrested several months ago in Aleosan town. Manalasal is now detained in the highly secured Bicutan jail in Taguig City along with suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists and suspected members of the MILF Special Operations Group.

Basilan was one of the MILF commanders under Kato who attacked and pillaged several Christian and Muslim villages in North Cotabato in August last year.

The attacks led to the deaths of over 300 people and the displacement of over 750,000 villagers in what international aid agencies have described as a worrying humanitarian crisis.

Basilan was nabbed while visiting his family in Barangay Nabalawag, Midsayap town.

The suspect, who had a P600,000 cash reward for his capture, did not resist arrest when combined elements of the Intelligence Service of the AFP, Police Regional Intelligence Division, Army troops from the 40th Infantry Battalion and 6th Military Intelligence Battalion cornered him.

Col. Alejandro Estomo, commander of the 602nd Infantry Brigade, said the arrest of Basilan was carried out after several months of surveillance operations.

Estomo said Basilan has several warrants for arson before the Midsayap Regional Trial Court Branch 24 for leading an assault on civilian communities.

Lt. Col. Rosalito Martires, commanding officer of the 40th Infantry Battalion, said the suspect was surprised when government forces collared him.

Meanwhile, Estomo said Kato is guarded by his close relatives and has never returned to North Cotabato from his hiding place in Maguindanao. - Jaime Laude